Skogafoss
A 25-metre-wide, 60-metre-tall curtain of water on the south coast — the classic Ring Road stop between Reykjavik and Vik.
Skogafoss waterfall dropping 60 metres from cliff
What to expect at Skogafoss
Skogafoss tumbles off the old sea cliff that marks Iceland's coastline before the land uplifted, a straight 60-metre drop that throws up enough spray to hang double rainbows on sunny afternoons. Legend says a Viking settler buried a chest of gold behind the curtain, and on the eastern edge a metal staircase climbs to the clifftop viewpoint. From there the Fimmvorduhals trail heads inland past 26 more waterfalls to Thorsmork.
This is your natural first stop east of Selfoss along the Ring Road between the black beaches at Reynisfjara and the geothermal steam of the south. Come at 08:30 to have the front pool to yourself, or after 18:00 when the day tours have moved on to Vik. Park in the paved lot ($8) rather than the shoulder — police enforce heavily. Waterproof shell essential; the spray reaches 100 m out on windy days.
Questions about Skogafoss
The waterfall is free. Parking is $8 per car via the parkid.is app; the Skogar folk museum is separate at $20.
Skogafoss is always free. Parking is charged 24/7 as a flat daily rate.
1-2 hours for the base pool and clifftop viewpoint. Add 90 minutes for the folk museum.
Never closes. The stair to the top may be roped off briefly after ice storms.
No. It is a self-guided roadside stop, no ticket required.
The car park is 150 km east of Reykjavik on Ring Road 1, at the Skogar turn-off. Straeto bus 51 stops at Skogar on request.
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